Vijay Darda is an Indian journalist, politician, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He has served as the chairman of Lokmat Media Group. He served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha for three consecutive terms. He has been associated with several social work organisations. He was convicted of corruption in the Coalgate scam in July 2023.
Wiki/Biography
Vijay Jawaharlal Darda aka Vijay J. Darda was born on Sunday, 14 May 1950 (age 73 years; as of 2023) in Yavatmal, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India. His zodiac sign is Taurus. He completed his schooling at Government Multipurpose High School, Yavatmal in 1967.
Vijay Darda during his teenage
He pursued a bachelor’s degree in Arts at Harvard University, Massachusetts and a diploma in Journalism and Printing Technology at Bhavan’s College, affiliated with Mumbai University (completed in 1970). After completing his formal education, he pursued a career in the press and later politics.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 70 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
He belongs to a Shwetambar Jain family.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Jawaharlal Darda, was a renowned freedom fighter, Maharashtra cabinet minister of Energy and Industry, and the founder of Lokmat publications, and his mother’s name is Veenadevi Darda.
Vijay Darda with his father, Jawaharlal Darda (right) and Rajiv Gandhi (left)
Vijay Darda with his mother, Veenadevi Darda
He has a brother named Rajendra Darda who also served as MLA from Aurangabad East Assembly from 1998 to 2013 and Maharashtra cabinet minister of Education and Industry.
Vijay Darda with his brother, Rajendra Darda (left)
Wife & Children
He got married to Jyotsna Darda on 16 February 1971 who died on 23 March 2013 due to cancer.
Vijay Darda with Lata Mangeshkar (centre) and his wife, Jyotsna Darda (left)
The couple has a son named Devendra, a businessman, and a daughter named Purva.
Vijay Darda with Rahul Gandhi (centre) and his son, Devendra Darda (right)
Vijay Darda with his daughter, Purva Darda Kothari
Other Relatives
His daughter-in-law’s name is Rachana Darda. His son-in-law’s name is Sunit Kothari. He has a grandson named Aryaman Darda.
Vijay Darda’s daughter-in-law, Rachana Darda and his grandson, Aryaman Darda
Religion
He follows Jainism.
Vijay Darda (left) talking to a Jain saint
Signature
Career
Journalist & Entreprenuer
He became the head of the Marathi Newspaper Lokmat on 15 December 1971. He later introduced Lokmat English and Lokmat Hindi newspaper. During his extensive five-decade-long career, Darda made significant contributions to national and international media organizations in various capacities. As the President of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) (1997-1998) and Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) (2010-2011), he took proactive measures to protect journalists from violence and promote their safety and played a pivotal role in eliminating anti-dumping duty on newsprint and securing concessional electricity tariffs for newspaper establishments.
Vijay Darda with Rajiv Gandhi (right) during his early journalistic days
One of Darda’s notable achievements was the establishment of the South Asian Editors Forum (SAEF) in 1999, which originated from an editors’ conference held in Colombo in 1999 when the Kargil war was being fought. He became the Founding President of the SAEF and aimed to harness the power of media in South Asia to defuse tensions between Pakistan and India, particularly concerning the contentious Kashmir issue. Darda’s involvement extended to various international organizations, including the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) in France, the Commonwealth Press Association (CPA) in the UK, the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) in the UK, International Advertising Association (IAA) in the USA, Indian Languages Newspapers’ Association (ILNA), Press Council of India (PCI), and Press Institute of Maharashtra (PIM).
Vijay Darda (third from left) during the SAEF conference
He was instrumental in the establishment of the world’s first statue of ‘Freedom of Press,’ unveiled in 2013 at the Lokmat printing press in Butibori, Nagpur, which was inaugurated by the Union Home Minister, Sushilkumar Shinde. He has also served as the chairman of the Lokmat Media Group. He has also invested in the real estate and investment businesses.
Vijay Darda during a program of Lokmat news
Member of Press and Business Associations
He has served as president and member of many media (related to the press) and business associations during different times of his life.
- Founder President: South Asian Editors Forum (formed by the Editors of national and indigenous language dailies in South Asia)
- Chairman: Audit Bureau of Circulation, Mumbai (September 2010)
- Ex-President & Member: Indian Newspaper Society, New Delhi (1997 -1998)
- Ex-Member: Press Council of India, New Delhi (From March 1998-2001, March 2001-2004 – Two Terms)
- Managing Trustee: Press Institute of Maharashtra, Pune Life Member: The Advertising Club of India Mumbai
Vijay Darda (third from left) during a press meeting
- Member: World Association of Newspapers, Paris, France
- Member: Commonwealth Press Union, London (UK Member – All India Newspapers Editors Conference, New Delhi
- Member: Indian Languages Newspapers Association, Mumbai
- Member: Committee to decide the comprehensive policy and regulate advertisements in Newspapers & Periodicals
- Member: Co-ordination Committee to combat and control attacks on Journalists and Press Establishments
- Member: Maharashtra State Accreditation Committee (provides Accreditation facilities to Journalists)
Vijay Darda with Sonia Gandhi during a press association meeting
- Member: Ad-hoc Board of Studies in Mass Communication, Nagpur University
- Member: National Readership Studies Council, Mumbai
- Member: Vidarbha Daily Newspapers Association, Nagpur
- Member: International Advertising Association, New York (USA)
- Member: Advisory Panel of Central Board of Film Certification
- Member: Judging Committee of 22nd National Awards for Excellence in Printing & Designing of Books & Other Publications (1980)
- Member: Screenwriters Association (SWA) Business
- Chairman: Lokmat Media Pvt. Ltd.
Vijay Darda with Mukesh Ambani (left) during a business meeting
- Chairman: IBN Lokmat News Pvt. Ltd.
- Chairman & MD: Darda Investments & Properties Ltd.
- Chairman: Cozy Properties Pvt. Ltd.
- Partner: Mangal Mudran (Printing Press), Yavatmal
Vijay Darda with Ratan Tata (left)
Politician
He became a Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the Indian Parliament) member for the first time in 1998. He was a member of the Indian National Congress (INC); however, when he was not given a chance to contest the Rajya Sabha elections, he fought as an independent candidate and won.
Vijay Darda (right) with Inder Kumar Gujral (centre) during his first tenure as a Rajya Sabha member
He became a Rajya Sabha member in 2004 and 2010 as well. He has very close relationships with several politicians belonging to different political parties.
Vijay Darda with Bhupender Singh Hooda (right)
Vijay Darda with BJP head, JP Nadda (left)
Vijay Darda with Arvind Kejriwal (left)
Bills Presented
During his 18 years tenure as a Rajya Sabha member, he presented 33 Private Member Bills related to food, water, and women empowerment, which also included one Constitutional Amendment Bill.
- The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill on 29 April 2016
- The Prevention of Atrocities on Women Bill on 29 April 2016
- The Gymnasiums and Fitness Centres (Regulation) Bill on 4 December 2015
- The Electronic Waste (Handling and Disposal) Bill on 4 December 2015
- The Consumer Goods Price Fixation Board Bill on 4 December 2015
- The White Asbestos (Ban on Use and Import) Bill on 28 November 2014
- The Supreme Court (Establishment of a Permanent Bench at Nagpur) Bill on 28 November 2014
- The Personal Data Protection Bill on 28 November 2014
- The Whistle Blowers (Protection in Public Interest Disclosures) Bill on 11 May 2012
- The Prevention of Atrocities on Women Bill on 11 May 2012
- The Pathological Laboratories and Clinics (Regulation and Control) Bill on 11 May 2012
- The Compulsory Medical Preparedness in Schools Bill on 31 July 2009
- The White Asbestos (Ban on Use and Import) Bill on 31 July 2009
- The Special Courts for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Bill on 19 December 2008
- The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill on 19 December 2008
- The Gymnasiums and Fitness Centre (Regulation) Bill on 19 December 2008
- The Supreme Court (Establishment of a Permanent Bench at Nagpur) Bill on 24 August 2007
- The Information Technology and Infotainment Facilities in Villages Bill on 24 August 2007
- The Divorced Women (Protection and Welfare) Bill on 24 August 2007
- The Consumer Goods Price Fixation Board Bill on 27 April 2007
Vijay Darda during a Rajya Sabha session
- The Prevention of Atrocities on Women Bill on 27 April 2007
- The Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill on 27 April 2007
- The Mobile Camera Phone Users (Code of Conduct) Bill on 8 December 2006
- The Children School Bags (Limitation on Weight) Bill on 8 December 2006
- The Personal Data Protection Bill on 8 December 2006
- The Commission for Protection of Child Rights (Amendment) Bill on 28 July 2006
- The Rajya Sabha Secretariat (Administration) Bill on 28 July 2006
- The Tele-Shopping (Protection of Consumer’s Rights) Bill on 28 July 2006
- The Pathological Laboratories and Clinics (Regulation and Control ) Bill on 14 March 2006
- The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2006 (To amend articles 105 and 194) on 3 March 2006
- The Whistle Blowers (Protection in Public Interest Discussions) Bill on 3 March 2006
- The Electronic Waste (Handling and Disposal) Bill on 23 December 2005
- The National Commission for Hygienic Food, Packed Drinks and Water Bill on 23 December 2005
Member of Government Committees and Delegations
He has served as a member of various parliamentary, central government, and state government committees and delegations.
- Member: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology (September 2014)
- Member: Consultative Committee for Petroleum and Natural Gas
- Member: Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India (July 2010)
- Member: Rajya Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation (September 2010)
- Member: Central Consumer Protection Council, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (September 2010)
- Member: Philatelic Advisory Committee of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (November 2010)
- Member: Committee on Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) Aug. 2012 to July 2016
- Member: Participated in India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Programme (Washington D.C., USA, 2008)
- Member: Delegation visit to Morocco & Tunisia with the vice-president of India Dr Hamid Ansari in 2016
- Member: Committee on Petitions (Date of Re-constitution: 24 September 2009)
- Member: Committee on Subordinate Legislation (Date of Re-constitution: 29 September 2010)
- Member: Committee on Finance(Ministries/Departments : Finance; Corporate Affairs; Planning; Statistics and Programme Implementation) (Date of Constitution: 31 August 2010)
- Member: Security Council Meeting-1992 along with Prime Minister of India: U.N.O. Headquarters, New York
- Member: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, Government of India, Dehradun (Uttaranchal)
- Member: Environmental Appraisal Committee, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi
- Member: National AIDS Committee, Ministry of Health, Government of India, New Delhi
- Member: Indo-Pak Parliamentary Forum
- Member: Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Culture (2001–Feb. 2004)
- Vice-president/Member: India-Turkey Parliamentary Friendship Group (2002 onwards)
- Member: Parliamentary Committee to review the rate of Dividend payable by the Indian Railways to the General Revenues (Aug. 2004 onwards)
- Member: Indo-Japan Parliamentary Forum (2005 onwards)
- Member: Hindi Salahakar Samiti, Ministry of Company Affairs (Feb. 2005 onwards)
- Member: Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 (May 2005 onwards)
Vijay Darda during a delegation visit
- Permanent Special Invitee: Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (Oct. 2006- May 2009 and July 2010 onwards)
- Member: Hindi Salahakar Samiti, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Member, Hindi Salahakar Samiti, Northern Railways
- Member: Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Culture
- Member: Konkan Railways Users Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Railways, 2005
- Member: Hindi Salahakar Samiti, Central Railways Aug. 2012 – May 2014
- Member: Hindi Salahkar Samiti, Rajya Sabha Secretariat June 2015 to July 2016
- Member: Advisory Group, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Member: Standing Committee on Information Aug. 1998-Feb. 2004
- Member: Standing Committee on Technology Aug. 2004 – Dec. 2006
- Member: Indo-China Society 2003 to 2010
- Member: Indo- US Parliamentary Forum 2004 to 2010
- Member: Standing Committee on Finance Aug. 1998-Feb. 2004 and Aug. 2004 – Dec.
- Member: Bureau of Indian Standards Dec. 2006- May 2009 and Aug. 2009 – Aug. 2012 2006, Sep. 2007- May 2009 and Aug. 2009 – May 2014 and Sept. 2014 to July 2016
- Member: Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Aug. 2009 to 2010
- Vice-president: India-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group May 2013 – May 2014
- Member: Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests Sept. 2014 to July 2016
- Member: India-Uruguay Parliamentary Friendship Group
- Member: Committee on Commerce 2012 to July 2016
- Member: Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS
Author
He has published several books on various topics related to his parents and his experiences as a journalist and politician.
Vijay Darda presenting his book to Narendra Modi (left)
Some of his works as an author include Tapsi, The Indian Emergency, Lokmat Congress Centenary Special-1985, Sanskar Pushp, discourses of Jain Sadhvi Preeti Sudha Ji, Raktanjali, a book of inspiring poems written by Col. V. P. Singh dedicated to the Kargil Martyrs, Straight Thoughts, Na Sampanare Shabda, Seedhi Baat, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Public Issues Before Parliament.
Vijay Darda presenting his book to Sharad Pawar (right)
Philanthropist
He has worked for many social causes including women empowerment, upliftment of the specially-abled, religious harmony, and environmental issues. He facilitated a mega agriculture exhibition for the farmers of the Vidarbha region in 2008 at Amravati, Maharashtra.
Vijay Darda with Bal Thackeray during a social program
He later helped develop hostels in Aurangabad (now Shambhaji Nagar), Nagpur, and Solapur. He also donated Rs 40 lakhs for Nepal earthquake relief in 2015. He also donated Rs 71 lakhs to Army Central Relief Fund on 27 June 2022.
Vijay Darda giving Rs 71 lakhs cheque, with Rajnath Singh (right) and ex-Army chief, Manoj Pande (left)
He gave financial aid of Rs 5 lakhs to the grandson of Shaheed-e-Azam Udham Singh, Jeet Singh, and aid of Rs 2 lakhs for the marriage of the youngest daughter of the great granddaughter-in-law of India’s last Mughal Emperor Bahadurshah Zafar, Sultana Begum. He adopted the Bhari village of Yavatmal district under the Parliamentary Ideal Village Development Programme and developed it into a model village at the cost of Rs 1 crore.
Vijay Darda giving Rs 2 lakhs cheque to the great granddaughter-in-law of India’s last Mughal Emperor Bahadurshah Zafar, Sultana Begum
Controversy
Coal Scam
Vijay Darda and former coal secretary H. C. Gupta, along with five other accused, were convicted by a Delhi court on 13 July 2023 in a CBI case related to a coal block scam in Chhattisgarh. The court found them guilty of criminal conspiracy and cheating under criminal conspiracy (Section 120-B of IPC) and cheating (Section 420 of IPC) and under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court’s decision came after a fresh investigation that was ordered by the court in 2014, rejecting the CBI’s closure report in the case. The court stated that Vijay Darda, who is also the chairperson of the Lokmat Group, had misrepresented facts in letters written to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to secure the Fatehpur (East) coal block in Chhattisgarh for JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd.
Vijay Darda with his wife, Jyotsna Darda and Manmohan Singh (centre)
The coal block was allocated to JLD Yavatmal Energy by the 35th Screening Committee. His son Devender Darda, senior public servants K.S. Kropha and K.C. Samria, JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd, and its Director Manoj Kumar Jayaswal were also convicted by the court. These convictions mark the 13th in the coal scam, which had caused significant controversy during the UPA-II government led by Manmohan Singh. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had criticized the government for the alleged inefficient allocation of 194 coal blocks, and CAG’s final report estimated a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to the exchequer. The court sentenced him and his son to four years of jail time on 26 July 2023.
Awards & Honours
- Feroze Gandhi Memorial Award (1990-91) by the then Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao
Vijay Darda being felicitated by P. V. Narsimha Rao
- Best Produced Newspaper Award (Printing Technology – 1983) by then President of India, Giani Zail Singh
- International Jurist Award (2011) by the President of the Supreme Court of the UK, Lord Philips, in London
Vijay Darda being awarded by then International Jurist Award (2011) by President of the Supreme Court of the UK, Rt. Hon. Lord Philips
- Nemichand Shrishrimal Foundation Award (1996) for Excellence in Journalism
- Ten Outstanding Businessmen, Industrialists & Professionals Award (2001)
- Late P. Y. Deshpande Memorial Pashik Chandrabhage Tiri Award (2010)
- Late S. M. Garge Journalism Award (2007) for Excellence in Journalism.
- Giant International Journalism Award (2016)
- Brijlal Biyani Award for Journalism (2006)
- Late Vidyadhar Gokhale Memorial Award of 7th Maharashtra Cine Natya Paritoshik (2003), awarded by Maharashtra Kala Niketan, Mumbai.
- Yavatmal Bhushan Award (2007) awarded by Yavatmal Rotary Club, Maharashtra, India.
- Outstanding Youth Person (1987) awarded by Indian National Jaycees (Chapter: Yavatmal Cotton City Jaycees, Maharashtra, India)
- Mahakaruna Award by Bhikkhu Sanghasena ji, founder President & Spiritual Director of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Leh (Ladakh)
- Global Peace Award during the International Sufi Rang Mahotsav 2022 organized by Chishty Foundation at Ajmer (Rajasthan) on 7 October 2022
- Global Achiever (Best Politician) Award at the World Summit for Global Achievers 2022 ceremony on 17 October 2022
Vijay Darda being awarded the Global Achiever (Best Politician) Award
Car Collection
In 2010, he owned a Tata Nano.
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Bank Deposits: Rs. 6,10,22,356
- Bonds, Debentures and Shares in companies: Rs. 2,23,71,513
- NSS & Postal Savings: Rs. 16,38,676
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 2,51,900
Immovable Assets
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 2,41,16,193
- Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 2,48,63,384
- Buildings: Rs. 3,28,93,196
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2010. It excludes the net worth of his wife.
Net Worth
Darda’s net worth for the financial year 2009-2010 was estimated to be Rs. 35 Crores 35 lakhs. It excludes the net worth of his wife.
Facts/Trivia
- He likes singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, poetry, playing cricket, football, and cycling during his leisure time.
A photo of Vijay Darda during cycling
Vijay Darda playing football
- He has created a statue of his parents at his residence in Yavatmal and has named it Prerna Sthal.
Vijay Darda and his wife, Jyotsna Darda, at Prerna Sthal with the statue of his father, Jawaharlal Darda
- He has an interest in wildlife and liked wildlife photography during his childhood.
- A few of his dream projects are the Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded railway line and a package of Rs 200 crores for the widows of farmers of the Vidarbha region who committed suicide. In 2014, he demanded a separate statehood for Vidarbha in the Parliament.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education